Diago

Biodata

Power Progression

Diago retains his character’s combat and professional skills after transmigration, but has no system or character panel with which to measure his level. His documented development consists of recovering those skills, mastering their practical use, and gaining new combat options 9.

Background

Before arriving in Azeroth, Diago was a university-educated transportation engineer whose work involved building roads. He preferred a quiet home life, but was neither unemployed nor dependent on his parents. His interest in firearms came largely from magazines and online research rather than manufacturing experience 24 30.

Diago had spent ten years exploring World of Warcraft, favoring Azeroth’s geography, history, ruins, inhabitants, and named weapons over a narrow focus on equipment or competitive play. His human hunter had exalted reputation with every Alliance and neutral faction, but those social achievements did not carry over: in Azeroth, he had to establish himself anew 7 9 10.

He arrives in the twenty-first year after the Dark Portal opened, learning that the victory at Mount Hyjal occurred the previous year. After considering several destinations, he chooses Stormwind City and begins traveling south with Masley Bearhide 3 9.

Appearance

Diago is a human man standing over 1.8 meters tall. His equipment eventually gives him a heavily armed appearance, with matte-finished firearms, a black bayonet, and deliberately restrained weapon designs 9 30.

• Concealed skull repair: After the Broken Tooth encounter, Masley fills a dent in his skull with plant amber. Diago can feel touch through it, and the surrounding scalp grows over the repair, leaving no visible indication 17.
• Armored clothing: Wears the mithril scale armor Asnar’s Gourmet, which later stops a bullet to his chest 22 27.
• Quiet footwear: Acquires the black, matte-scaled Savage Gladiator’s Greaves after defeating Garrosh 43.

Personality

Diago combines an explorer’s enthusiasm with a strong desire to survive. Azeroth’s living magic repeatedly astonishes him, even when he recognizes its game equivalent. After nearly dying early in his journey, he consciously chooses an adventurous new life rather than retreating from danger—but insists that courage should not mean knowingly walking into a trap 7 13 39.

He is inventive, technically exacting, and willing to learn through failure. During firearm production, he repeatedly remakes unsatisfactory components rather than lowering his standards. He also recognizes the limits of his expertise: his inherited Engineering knowledge does not immediately make him an experienced manufacturer, and he admits that Tharnok is far better suited to organizing the freed slaves 27 30.

His compassion often conflicts with his caution. He does not consider himself a saint and initially doubts whether rescuing the Great Forge’s slaves is possible. A captive dwarf’s quiet defiance nevertheless moves him to act. He admires Uther, Tirion Fordring, Anduin Lothar, and Turalyon for their loyalty, courage, sacrifice, and honor, while questioning whether he can meet those ideals himself 24.

Diago can be ruthless toward enemies without treating violence as a universal solution. He avoids provoking further Alliance–Horde hatred at Kargath, yet later participates in the killing and concealment of Fineous Darkvire during the Black Vault robbery. His growing enjoyment of killing Twilight cultists also brings him close to spiritual corruption, prompting gratitude when Masley intervenes 18 32 47.

Abilities & Skills

Marksmanship

Diago’s inherited hunter instincts give him exceptional accuracy with bows and firearms, despite his lack of comparable training on Earth 8.

• Targets heads, hearts, and gaps in armor; during the Thorium Brotherhood ambush, two dwarves are assigned to reload and exchange muskets for him 20.
• Uses Rapid Fire to loose more than eighty arrows during the Ragefang Camp battle. The exertion tears muscles in his already injured arms, requiring Masley’s healing 9.
• Uses Arcane Shot to empower ranged attacks, though the arcane energy must cool before another shot can be fired 12.
• Is not guaranteed a hit: skilled opponents can dodge or deflect shots, as Garrosh repeatedly demonstrates 43.

Beast Taming and Soul Bond

Hunters can communicate with beasts through a soul link, a closely guarded technique that Diago uses while taming Broken Tooth 16.

• Communicates thoughts directly, even while speaking aloud out of habit 16.
• Develops coordination with Khanifa precise enough for them to communicate with a glance 37.
• Sends Khanifa to deliver a written message to Ofist and uses him for reconnaissance and infiltration 33 39.
• Does not regard every beast as a viable pet: he doubts his ability to tame loyal orc worgs and refuses to attempt taming a highly venomous sand scorpion 10 18.

Beast’s Eye

Beast’s Eye projects Diago’s consciousness into Khanifa through their soul bond 39.

• Requires meditation and passage through Diago’s wilderness-like Source of Consciousness 39.
• Allows him to perceive through and attempt to control Khanifa’s body while his own body remains seated and unresponsive 39.
• Demands concentration; shock can break the spell, and repeated casting causes mental exhaustion 39.
• Does not automatically grant familiarity with four-legged movement or the ability to activate Khanifa’s Stealth. Diago relies on Khanifa to guide their infiltration 39.
• Has a limited duration, expelling him before Khanifa finishes retrieving Windsor’s cell key 39.

Traps and Fieldcraft

Diago uses prepared terrain, concealment, and improvised illumination to control engagements 12 27 32.

• Employs freezing or frost traps and explosive traps against beasts and armed enemies 16 31 43.
• Can mentally control no more than three traps. During the Dragonmaw ambush, he can practically deploy only two because he lacks enough venomous snakes for a snake trap 12.
• Crafts illumination arrows from ammunition components and gunpowder to expose defenders across the Great Forge’s bridge 27.
• Uses Eagle Eye to observe the orcs reinforcing the trail near Kargath 18.
• Uses Aspect of the Cheetah to increase running speed, though it cannot match the pursuing worgs’ speed and endurance 20.

Camouflage

Diago’s camouflage resembles a sniper’s concealment rather than the mobile Stealth used by Masley and Khanifa 36.

• Is most effective while stationary; movement sharply increases his chance of discovery 36.
• Becomes substantially more useful with the color-changing Lizard-skin Cloak 36.
• Cannot eliminate a cast shadow, leaving him vulnerable to observation in illuminated passages 25.
• Does not provide Rogue-level lockpicking or infiltration expertise 25.

Engineering and Craftsmanship

Diago combines retained Goblin Engineering knowledge with ideas from Earth, but must acquire practical workshop experience through repeated attempts 30.

• Builds a compact ammunition press, cased ammunition, the M1 semiautomatic rifle, and the M500 revolver 29 30.
• Repairs the Black Vault’s machinery while studying Franclorn Forgewright’s design 47.
• Constructs a powerful siege-derived bomb using leftover gunpowder and rejected firearm components. Its improvised construction makes its strength difficult to predict 33.
• Remains constrained by scarce materials and manufacturing difficulty; even the M1’s barrel takes about a month to make 30.
• Considers his forging inferior to his Engineering and commissions Grand Smith Burninate to forge his bayonet 30.

Survival Professions and Languages

Diago retains extensive professional and linguistic knowledge after transmigration 9.

• Leatherworking: Judges materials and workmanship at Draenor master level and identifies ways to improve scavenged leather armor 9.
• Cooking: Teaches Thorium Brotherhood cooks to prepare the abundant Lava Crabs and Lava Spiders, helping address their food shortage 21 29.
• Fishing and First Aid: Both were trained to Draenor master before transmigration 9.
• Languages: Retains Common, Dwarvish, Elvish, Draenei, and Gnomish, with the text treating Gnomish as closely related to Dwarvish. He also speaks Chinese 9.

Melee Combat and Physical Limits

Diago can wield a two-handed axe, paired hand axes, and a bayonet, but considers his close-combat technique average rather than exceptional 8 27 30.

• Uses agility and dual-wielded axes to overcome surprised opponents 12 27.
• Is overpowered and disarmed by Gorfork under Bloodlust, suffering a cracked radius and losing consciousness 12 13.
• Possesses a much stronger constitution than before transmigration, but still depends heavily on Masley’s treatment after severe injuries 17.
• Experiences numbness in both hands after rapidly firing the M500’s full cylinder, despite his enhanced strength 43.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• M1 rifle — A self-made 7.62-millimeter semiautomatic rifle based on Earth’s M1 concept and the Thorium Rifle’s materials and engineering. Its penetration defeats Qiraji-chitin shields and some magical defenses. Diago destroys its blueprints and manufacturing evidence before leaving Thorium Point 30 31 35.
• M500 revolver — A five-shot handgun based on the Smith & Wesson M500. Thorium brings its weight above eight pounds; its power and severe recoil make it a close-range emergency weapon 30 43.
• Bayonet — Forged by Burninate from thorium and dark iron scraps, with a modified handle allowing handheld use or attachment to the rifle 30.
• Bow — His principal early ranged weapon, used with ordinary and arcane-empowered arrows before he completes his firearms 8 12 26.
• Dwarven hand axes — Two well-maintained axes recovered at Ragefang Camp, with broad blades, haft-end armor-piercing spikes, and an emerald sheen suggesting added thorium. Diago estimates them to be at least rare quality 9.
• Asnar’s Gourmet — Mithril scale armor made by Kordaz Blackhammer and gifted by the Thorium Brotherhood. Survives Masley’s bear-form test intact and later stops a bullet 22 27.
• Lizard-skin Cloak — A camouflage cloak also called the Sand Lizard-hide or Chameleon Cloak. Changes color to match its surroundings but does not conceal its shadow or the wearer’s scent 18 19 25 36.
• Felcloth Bag — A sulfur-smelling magical bag with an enormous interior. Carries supplies, tools, explosives, and thousands of rounds without ordinary carrying-capacity concerns 16 20 30 33.
• Savage Gladiator’s Greaves — Looted from Garrosh. Their sinew-woven soles permit quiet movement, while land dragon hide and overlapping mithril plates provide light, durable protection 43.
• Gladiator’s Badge — Awarded after the arena victory, granting limited freedom in Shadowforge City. Diago later uses it to bluff Twilight cultists 43 48.
• Thorium Brotherhood badge — A farewell gift accompanying a donkey and an offer of future assistance 35.

Relationships

• Masley Bearhide — Fellow prisoner, traveling companion, healer, and closest partner. Repeatedly rescues Diago and helps prevent his descent into corruption; Diago provides planning, fire support, and technical expertise 7 12 17 32.
• Khanifa / Broken Tooth — Tamed leopard and soul-bonded companion. Their bond develops rapidly, supporting coordinated combat, message delivery, and Beast’s Eye reconnaissance 16 17 33 39.
• Jack Rockleg — Thorium Outpost commander who welcomes Diago after the worg-rider ambush. Diago’s understanding of Dark Iron customs quickly earns his friendship 20 21.
• Kordaz Blackhammer — Smith who creates Asnar’s Gourmet in recognition of Diago’s assistance to the Thorium Brotherhood 22.
• Grand Smith Burninate — Supports Diago’s manufacturing work with a workshop and materials, forges his bayonet, and supplies Khanifa’s enchanted replacement tooth 29 30.
• Tharnok Frosthammer — Bronzebeard lieutenant recruited to help liberate the Great Forge’s slaves. Diago trusts his leadership and acknowledges his superior command ability 25 27.
• Marshal Windsor — Imprisoned human commander whom Diago seeks to rescue. Diago restores his hope by showing that his confiscated intelligence still exists 40.
• Gorfork Nuya — Dragonmaw pursuer who nearly kills Diago. Diago later shoots him and the other wounded survivors after their battle with Dark Iron dwarves 12 15.
• Garrosh — Undefeated arena opponent who grievously wounds Masley. Diago kills him with the M500 after a desperate fight 42 43.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Escape from Ragefang Camp

• Masley heals Diago, opens the cages with plant magic, and kills their guard in bear form. Diago takes the guard’s axe and joins the attack on the camp 7 8.
• After the camp’s destruction, Diago scavenges equipment, establishes the current year, and chooses Stormwind as his destination 9.
• Dragonmaw orcs pursue the pair beyond Thelsamar. Gorfork defeats Diago in close combat, forcing Masley to carry him to safety 10 12.
• Diago and Masley exploit a clash between their pursuers and Dark Iron dwarves, then eliminate the surviving orcs 15.

Broken Tooth and the Journey to Searing Gorge

• The pair free slaves captured by Dark Iron dwarves near Uldaman before seeking Broken Tooth in Dustwind Gulch 16.
• Diago’s successful taming leaves him with broken ribs, extensive wounds, and a skull injury. Masley nurses him through roughly two weeks of recovery 16 17.
• Refused passage at Kargath, the travelers attempt a nighttime infiltration and are pursued by orc worg riders 18 20.
• Their escape brings them into a Thorium Brotherhood ambush, where Diago’s marksmanship helps rout the pursuers and earns the dwarves’ welcome 20.

Thorium Brotherhood and the Great Forge Rescue

• Diago teaches the dwarves to cook local creatures and receives Asnar’s Gourmet. His accompanying oath commits him to helping the Brotherhood against the fire elementals, not to supporting Dark Iron wars against other races 21 22.
• While infiltrating the Great Forge, he abandons his narrower plan in favor of freeing its enslaved workers. He and Masley recruit Tharnok to organize the uprising 24 25.
• At the exit bridge, Diago exposes the defenders with improvised illumination arrows and leads a charge. His armor stops a potentially fatal gunshot 27.
• Nearly three hundred fugitives reach Thorium Point, worsening its food shortage. Most subsequently depart toward Ironforge, while the weakest remain under the Brotherhood’s care 28 29.

Firearms and the Twilight’s Hammer

• With the Brotherhood’s support, Diago develops cased ammunition and spends approximately two months completing his firearms and ammunition stockpile 29 30.
• He and Masley attack Twilight convoys and positions around Firewatch Ridge. His increasing appetite for slaughter nearly corrupts him; after Masley intervenes, he begins praying to Elune to steady his will 31 32.
• Diago destroys a teleportation array linking the Altar of Storms ruins to Silithus. The blast also kills more than ten Brotherhood members and seriously wounds over twenty 33.
• In October of the twenty-first year after the Dark Portal opened, he leaves Thorium Point with Masley and Khanifa, heading toward Blackrock Mountain 35.

Blackrock Depths and Shadowforge City

• Diago guides the group across Blackrock Mountain’s dangerous lava-spanning routes despite his fear of heights, then infiltrates the slave mines 35 36.
• He uses Beast’s Eye during the search for Windsor’s cell key and presents the marshal with proof that his intelligence is being deciphered by General Angerforge and Golem Lord Agamand 39 40.
• After Masley is badly wounded in the arena, Diago survives Garrosh’s assault and kills him at close range. Their victory earns Gladiator’s Badges 42 43.
• Diago repairs the Black Vault’s mechanism, helps kill Darkvire, and escapes with selected rare treasures and Ironfel. He subsequently operates the Shadowforge Lock 47 48.
• The attempt to recover a tablet from Agamand’s workshop is exposed by the golem lord’s magic. Cornered in a dead-end alley, Diago and Masley are offered refuge through a hidden door by a Dark Iron dwarf 50.

Notable Quotes

“Diago Asnar, hunter.” 20

“Thank you, Masley. You saved me from falling into darkness.” 32

Trivia

• An author’s note traces the name Diago to the biblical patriarch Jacob and gives its Hebrew meaning as “supplanter,” explicitly distinguishing that Jacob from the apostle of the same name 6.
• Before transmigration, Diago owned an old muzzle-loading hunting gun inherited from his grandfather’s generation; it was eventually confiscated 30.
• His Source of Consciousness resembles a living savanna populated by both Earth animals and Azeroth creatures, including Wind Serpents, Raptors, Thunder Lizards, and Kodos 39.